Geraldton’s Blessing of the Fleet welcomed back to Fisherman’s Wharf, kid-designed co-op truck to be launched

Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative is welcoming back the Blessing of the Fleet this weekend, when a new lobster transport truck design illustrated by local students will be launched. The event is returning to Geraldton to bless lobster fishing boats before the peak of the season starts. Held at the Fisherman’s Wharf this Sunday, two primary school students from the Mid West chosen to have their artwork installed on a lobster truck will be recognised for their award-winning designs at the event. Nearly 400 students from 65 primary schools around WA submitted a design celebrating the theme “WA rock lobster and the clean, blue ocean we love”. GFC selected three finalists, Amber, 11, Coden, 10, and Jordan, 8, from Geraldton, Dongara and Fremantle, who will see their work on a Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-operative lobster truck. The truck will be seen by motorists as it travels between Geraldton and Perth. The children will receive $500 in donations to their schools and bags filled with merchandise to celebrate their design. The approach was made in collaboration with the Marine Stewardship Council which offered ocean-themed education materials from its Saltwater Schools program to enhance children’s understanding of sustainable fishing practices and the importance of looking after the ocean. GFC corporate affairs manager Shaun McInnes said the colourful truck would spread its sustainability message to hundreds of thousands of motorists each year. Festivities will run all day, starting with a short land procession showcasing the statue of the Madonna at 10am, a wreath laying to commemorate those who have lost their lives to the ocean, a boat parade and a public vote for best dressed boat. Organising committee member Tiffany O’Byrne said the tradition had been lost to small coastal towns in recent times. “Our committee aims to bring the tradition back to the Geraldton community, highlight one of our major industries and its connection to our community,” she said. There will be plenty for the kids to do, including face painting, mural painting, balloon twisting, messy play with bubbles foam and water, a scavenger hunt, a touch pool and a guess the weight of the lobster competition. Other competitions include tug-of-war, rope coiling with some awesome prizes and local leaders will be dunked in a dunk tank.